Share of agriculture in total employment in Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea: Share of agriculture in total employment was 6.9% in 2010. ◆ Volatile
Share of agriculture in total employment in Republic of Korea, 1955–2010
Source: Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of agriculture in total employment in Republic of Korea is 6.9%, measured in 2010. That is the lowest value across all 49 years on record.
The figure is down 6.8% on the previous year and down 34.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of agriculture in total employment in Republic of Korea peaked at 80.7% in 1955 and was at its lowest, 6.9%, in 2010.
Republic of Korea ranks 28th of 44 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of agriculture in total employment in Republic of Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 80.7% | — |
| 1963 | 61.9% | -23.3% |
| 1964 | 60.6% | -2.1% |
| 1965 | 57.3% | -5.4% |
| 1966 | 56.6% | -1.2% |
| 1967 | 53.9% | -4.8% |
| 1968 | 51.1% | -5.2% |
| 1969 | 49.9% | -2.3% |
| 1970 | 49.0% | -1.8% |
| 1971 | 47.1% | -3.9% |
| 1972 | 49.3% | +4.7% |
| 1973 | 48.6% | -1.4% |
| 1974 | 46.8% | -3.7% |
| 1975 | 44.5% | -4.9% |
| 1976 | 43.2% | -2.9% |
| 1977 | 40.5% | -6.3% |
| 1978 | 37.1% | -8.4% |
| 1979 | 34.5% | -7.0% |
| 1980 | 32.8% | -4.9% |
| 1981 | 33.0% | +0.6% |
| 1982 | 30.9% | -6.4% |
| 1983 | 28.6% | -7.4% |
| 1984 | 26.1% | -8.7% |
| 1985 | 23.9% | -8.4% |
| 1986 | 22.6% | -5.4% |
| 1987 | 21.0% | -7.1% |
| 1988 | 19.8% | -5.7% |
| 1989 | 18.7% | -5.6% |
| 1990 | 17.0% | -9.1% |
| 1991 | 15.6% | -8.2% |
| 1992 | 15.0% | -3.8% |
| 1993 | 14.0% | -6.7% |
| 1994 | 13.0% | -7.1% |
| 1995 | 11.8% | -9.2% |
| 1996 | 11.1% | -5.9% |
| 1997 | 10.8% | -2.7% |
| 1998 | 12.0% | +11.1% |
| 1999 | 11.4% | -5.0% |
| 2000 | 10.6% | -7.0% |
| 2001 | 10.0% | -5.7% |
| 2002 | 9.3% | -7.0% |
| 2003 | 8.8% | -5.4% |
| 2004 | 8.1% | -8.0% |
| 2005 | 8.0% | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 7.7% | -3.7% |
| 2007 | 7.4% | -3.9% |
| 2008 | 7.4% | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 7.4% | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 6.9% | -6.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 80.7% | 80.7% | 80.7% | 1 |
| 1960s | 55.9% | 49.9% | 61.9% | 7 |
| 1970s | 44.1% | 34.5% | 49.3% | 10 |
| 1980s | 25.7% | 18.7% | 33.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 13.2% | 10.8% | 17.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 8.5% | 7.4% | 10.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Republic of Korea
More agriculture & rural data for Republic of Korea
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 0.2516 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0146 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 530.46 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.1591 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.1883 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 1.5% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 1.5% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.8% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.9% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of agriculture in total employment in Republic of Korea?
- Share of agriculture in total employment in Republic of Korea was 6.9% in 2010, according to Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of agriculture in total employment recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 80.7% in 1955.
- What is the lowest share of agriculture in total employment recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.9% in 2010.
- How does Republic of Korea rank for share of agriculture in total employment?
- Republic of Korea ranks 28th out of 44 countries with data for 2010.
- Is share of agriculture in total employment rising or falling in Republic of Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Republic of Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of agriculture in total employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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